UPDATE Nov. 3, 1:41 p.m.: This article has been updated to include information about Heard’s arraignment
UPDATE Nov. 3, 11:09 a.m.: This article has been updated to include details of Heard’s arrest from UOPD.
UPDATE Nov. 3, 6:34 a.m.: This article has been updated include a statement from Mark Helfrich.
Oregon defensive lineman Eddie Heard was arrested by UO Police Wednesday at 6:14 p.m. for misdemeanor harassment and assault in the fourth degree. Head coach Mark Helfrich has suspended him indefinitely from the football team.
(Lane County Jail
“Eddie Heard has been suspended indefinitely,” Helfrich said in a statement Thursday morning. “We will take appropriate action as details develop.”
UOPD arrested Heard, 22, near UO campus following an incident that occurred at nearby Taylor’s Bar and Grill between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, UOPD spokesman Kelly McIver said. UOPD interviewed Heard, the alleged victim and multiple witnesses and arrested Heard just before 6 p.m. Wednesday.
UOPD received a report on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from a woman not affiliated with UO who said Heard “repeatedly touched her inside the bar, despite her loud vocal protests” two days prior. The woman told UOPD that Heard slapped her and she pushed him before she left the bar, then Heard approached her outside the bar and punched her in the face near 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street.
Heard was held in jail overnight. He pleaded “not guilty” to misdemeanor charges of harassment and assault in the fourth degree during his arraignment at Lane County Circuit Court Thursday afternoon and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 8.
Heard, a redshirt junior, has played in eight games for the Ducks in 2016. He played in 11 of 13 games as a sophomore in 2015.
Jack Pitcher contributed to this report.
Follow Kenny Jacoby on Twitter @KennyJacoby
